Bone Regeneration Using PEVAV/β-Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Scaffolds in Standardized Calvarial Defects: Micro-Computed Tomographic Experiment in Rats

Bone regeneration using beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) can be practiced using a biocomposite scaffold. Poly(ethylene-co-vinylalcohol)/poly(delta-valerolactone)/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PEVAV/beta-TCP) composite scaffolds showed promising in vitro results. This study evaluated the bone regenerative potential of PEVAV/beta-TCP biocomposite scaffolds in standardized calvarial defects in a rat model over 4 and 10 weeks. Bilateral calvarial defects (5 mm in diameter and about 1.5 mm thick, equivalent to the thickness of the calvaria) were created in 40 male Wistar albino rats. The defects were grafted with either commercially available beta-TCP (positive control), PEVAV/beta-TCP 70, or PEVAV/beta-TCP 50, or left empty (negative control), depending on the group to which the animal was randomly assigned, to be covered before flap closure with resorbable collagen membrane (RCM). At 4 and 10 weeks post-surgery, the collected rat calvaria were evaluated using micro computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis, to assess the newly formed bone volume (NFBV), newly formed bone mineral density (NFBMD), and remaining graft volume (RGV). The results showed that calvarial defects grafted with the PEVAV/beta-TCP biocomposite exhibited higher NFBV than did control defects, both at 4 and 10 weeks post-surgery. Furthermore, calvarial defects grafted with PEVAV/beta-TCP 70 showed the highest NFBV among all grafting conditions, with a statistically significant difference recorded at 10 weeks post-surgery. The PEVAV/beta-TCP composite scaffold showed potentiality for the regeneration of critical-sized calvarial bone defects in a rat model.

Automated summary

Bone regeneration using PEVAV/beta-TCP composite scaffolds was evaluated in a rat model with standardized calvarial defects. The results showed that the PEVAV/beta-TCP biocomposite exhibited higher new bone volume compared to control defects, with PEVAV/beta-TCP 70 showing the highest new bone volume among all grafting conditions at 10 weeks post-surgery. The study suggests the potential of PEVAV/beta-TCP composite scaffold for regenerating critical-sized calvarial bone defects.